Choosing somewhere to live in later life

Provides independent living for people over the age of 55 with an assessed care need

Care and support is available on sites and is flexible to meet the needs of each household if required. Usually each apartment has no steps, its own front door, two bedrooms, fully fitted kitchen, living room, a walk in shower room and is suitable for people who need to use wheelchairs.

You and people living in the local community will have access to a restaurant for snacks and meals, book appointments at the hairdressers, meet new people, join in social events, receive on-site health treatments and all schemes are pet friendly.

There are several different Extra Care schemes in Sunderland and these are listed in the Extra Care link on the Choosing somewhere to live page.

To apply you must be aged 55 of over and require supported or more appropriate housing, or need a level of personal care, to be considered for extra care housing

There are 2 main types of care homes, some offer accommodation and help with personal care and others offer nursing care as well. 

A care home registered to provide personal care will offer support, ensuring basic personal needs are taken care of. Some care homes are registered to provide nursing care and these are often referred to as nursing homes.

There are several different nursing schemes in Sunderland.  Please look at our list of services in the Nursing care section.

There are 2 main types of care homes, some offer accommodation and help with personal care and others offer nursing care as well. 

Residential homes for young adults provides care and support for younger adults (18 – 65 years) with severe physical disabilities, learning disabilities, brain injury resulting from an accident, or mental health problems.

There are several different residential schemes in Sunderland.  Please look at our list of services in the Residential care section.

This is accommodation for people aged 55 and over.

The properties are usually a studio or a one bedroom flat or bungalow. These properties have been specially designed for people who have trouble moving around their home.

All properties have a community care alarm so residents can call for help in an emergency. However there is no on-site care team or warden.

There are several different sheltered accommodation schemes in Sunderland and these are listed in the Sheltered Housing link on the Choosing somewhere to live page.

Supported Living provides housing and support for people with learning disabilities.  and helps them to live in the community independently.

It’s suitable for people with all levels of disability as the support is tailored to individual needs, this can be a few hours a day or week to round the clock support to live in their own home.  For others it may be a shared house with friends and support to meet their individual needs.

 

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) monitor, inspect and regulate services that are provided in residential and Nursing homes (CQC monitor, inspect and regulate more than just care homes) to make sure they meet fundamental standards of quality and safety and  publish their findings, including performance ratings to help people choose care.

They have produced a guide called 'What can you expect from a good home-care agency? which describes the five main inspection criteria and how good care homes demonstrate that they are safe, effective, caring, responsive to people's needs and well-led.

You can find more information on the CQC website.

Healthwatch Sunderland empowers people and communities to improve health and social care services.

You can contact Healthwatch to share your views and experiences of using doctors, dentists, opticians, chemists, hospitals, care homes and other NHS funded services.  You can find more information on the Healthwatch Sunderland website.

Healthwatch Sunderland have spoken to care home residents, their friends and relatives, care home staff and management to find out what it’s like to live in the care homes in Sunderland.  You can find out more information on the Healthwatch Sunderland Care home life web pages and by watching their promotional video.

If you're thinking of moving, there are various options available. You might want to consider housing that has been specially designed for older people.

You can continue to live independently but with emergency help on hand or more specialised care and support if you need it.  You can find more information on the Independent Age website.